Mina's Guide to Chicago

A couple of friends of mine are visiting Chicago for a weekend. As I grew up in Chicago, I promised to provide some insider details on what to experience while in the Windy City. Some of my suggestions here are favorites from my childhood and have been included here for nostalgic reasons.

The Museum of Science and Industry

If you are going to hit the Museum of Science of Industry in Hyde Park, then here are my favorite things to see while in the Museum:

1. Watch chicks hatching under hot lamps (always a favorite of little kids)
2. Go see an Omnimax (IMAX) film
3. Walk through the gigantic anatomical model of a heart
4. Walk inside a real German U-boat (Okay, I didn't actually remember this exhibit when I was a child, but now that I am older, and read the book Shadow Divers, a visit to this U-boat would be a must-see for the current-age Mina)

An interesting factoid: Mina actually worked as a tour-guide at this museum one summer.

If you're hungering for a bite to eat, hit my favorite restaurant in Hyde Park: Medici's on 57th street. This place is the coolest hang-out in the neighborhood. Here, you'll sit with gray-haired hippies, spoiled private school kids (like I was), and U. of Chicago students. The place is just covered with graffiti (including my own). Food of note: "garbage" pizza, eggs scrambled from espresso steam, and super strong mugs of coffee.

While you're in my childhood neighborhood, pay a visit to my favorite bookstore, 57th street Books. Here, you can find an eclectic book and magazine collection catering to the left-leaning Hyde Park residents.

A Stroll Down Michigan Avenue

A visit to Chicago is NOT complete without a stroll down Michigan Ave., in my opinion one of the most beautiful shopping streets in the world. Here are some must dos:

1. Stroll down Michigan Ave. at night, when the trees are all alit.
2. Shop at Sugar Magnolia on Oak Street, perpendicular to Michigan Ave. This little boutique has funky finds and designer jeans at discounts.
3. If you have a load of cash, visit Ultimo, also on Oak Street. Inside is a collection of famous designers such as Manolo Blahnik, Stella McCartney, Christian Dior, and more.
4. Banana Republic flagship store on Michigan Ave.
5. Nike Store on Michigan Ave - with a full size basketball court!
6. The giant Christmas Tree at Bloomingdales
7. If you're hungry after all that shopping, have a bite to eat at Tucci Benucchi at Bloomingdales, at the Food Court inside the Water Tower Place. If you have a load of cash, eat at Cafe Spiaggia (Michigan & Oak Street), which has a first class view of Michigan Ave.

Other Touristy Things Not to Miss

Take an Architectural Tour of Chicago. Chicago is famous for its architecture, not just for the world's second tallest building, the Sears Tower, but also because of great architecture dating from all periods, from the art deco, to the Prairie Style of Frank Lloyd Wright, to more recently with Frank Gehry's Pavilion at Millenium Park. Also, it didn't hurt that Chicago got obliterated by the Great Chicago Fire. This created a blank slate with which architects could work. Take either the walking tour or the river boat tour (left).

The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the best art collections in the world. Some of the most iconic art pieces you will see here are Seurat's Sunday in the Park, and American Gothic (see below). I could dedicate several blogs to my favorite works of art in this Museum.

Addresses for Mentions above:

Museum of Science and Industry
Intersection of 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive

Medici's on 57th Street
1327 E 57th StChicago, IL 60637
Phone: (773) 667-7394

57th Street Books
1301 East 57th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
773-684-1300
(Fax)773-984-2804

Sugar Magnolia
34 E Oak St Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 944-0885

Ultimo
116 E. Oak St. Chicago, IL 60611
312-787-1171

Cafe Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Avenue, Level 2, Chicago, Illinois 60611

Art Institute
111 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600